Analysts on ESPN's NFL Live assessed expectations for the Bengals and the Browns for the upcoming season, and were more bullish on Cleveland than Cincinnati.

Jac Collinsworth: If we say, between the two - Browns and Bengals - who's most likely to get back to that Super Bowl?

Darren Woodson: I'm gonna go by the Browns, I'm serious because I like what they're doing as far as the skill positions. We know you've got Josh Gordon at 1. You bring in a Jarvis Landry, who's gonna be a terror - he's gonna terrorize the slot position for everyone. And then on the defensive side of the ball, they've gotten better. They've gotten better as far as talent is concerned. The offensive line has gotten better. They lose Joe Thomas but they're still a team right now - with Tyrod Taylor at the helm, with Tyrod Taylor who went to the playoffs - I know you're looking at me crazy but Tyrod Taylor is a guy who took the Bills to the playoffs last year. I think they've got the leadership.

Jeff Darlington: Dude, what is crazy to me is we're talking about how much does it say about our faith in the Bengals - that a team that went 1-31 ... the Browns, you're saying, have a better chance than the Bengals!

Woodson: Yes! Yes! I don't think the Bengals know who they are anymore. I honestly think ... I mean, we always talk about walking into a game and knowing your identity and knowing who you are. Do they run the ball successfully? Not really. Does Andy Dalton throw the ball successfully down the field? No not really. I mean, you just don't know who they are. Honestly you see where Cleveland is going, as far as personnel. And I think their personnel has caught up as far as those two teams. I think the Browns are a better personnel football team.

Darlington: I'm with you, man. I just think that's crazy ...

Collinsworth: I've got a question. When was the last time the Bengals knew who they were? '88?

Woodson: Yeah, it's been a while.

Collinsworth: It's been a little while.

The show also mentioned that the Bengals' last playoff win was in 1990 against the Houston Oilers - a longer drought than the Browns (1994) have had despite the fact that Cleveland has never been to a Super Bowl.

Former Bengals WR Jerome Simpson's split-second decision to jump over Cardinals LB Daryl Washington on Christmas Eve, 2011, turned a mundane catch into an unbelievable 19-yard touchdown, and a play that will make Simpson forever a part of NFL lore.
Michael Nyerges, Cincinnati Enquirer